1
: an indefinite or specified amount of money
2
: the whole amount : aggregate
3
: the utmost degree : summit
reached the sum of human happiness
4
5
a(1)
: the result of adding numbers
the sum of 5 and 7 is 12
(2)
: the limit of the sum of the first n terms of an infinite series as n increases indefinitely
b
: numbers to be added
broadly
: a problem in arithmetic
c(1)
(2)
Synonyms
Examples of sum in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the sum of human knowledge on that subject
the district attorney delivered a sum of the evidence against the accused that was simply staggering
he declared that he had reached the sum of joy when his newborn daughter was laid in his arms
the sum of the issue is: who will pay for this?
Verb
can sum figures in his head faster than I can punch them into a calculator
Recent Examples on the Web
Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2024
The invoices were attached as PDF documents that could not be summed and sorted for analysis.
—Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for sum 
Verb
This elegant, on-trend, and comfy-enough-to-travel-in summer dress perfectly sums it up.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 18 May 2024
The invoices were attached as PDF documents that could not be summed and sorted for analysis.
—Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for sum
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sum
Cite this Entry
“Sum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sum. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sum
1 of 2 noun1
: an indefinite or specified amount of money
2
: the whole amount
the sum of your experience
3
a
: a summary of the chief points or thoughts
b
: the main point
the sum and substance of an argument
4
a
: the result of adding numbers
the sum of 5 and 7 is 12
b
: a problem in arithmetic
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